Weekly fish report

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Members of the Ventura County Bass Club, who will compete May 19 in the BASS Federation Nation Western Divisional in Montana (left to right): Dejon Lewis, Jason Hemminger, Dwayne Fochler, Mark Torrez, Jeff Jones and Kevin Sherry. Sherry holds a photo of his son Josh, who was killed in an auto crash in Montana last year.

FRESHWATER REPORT

Six members of the Ventura County Bass Club will be competing May 19 in the BASS Federation Nation Western Divisional after winning the California competition.

The members are Dejon Lewis of Ventura, Jason Hemminger of Oxnard, Dwayne Fochler of Camarillo, Mark Torrez of Camarillo, Kevin Sherry of Ojai and backup angler Jeff Jones of Thousand Oaks.

The six advanced to the divisional by competing in four qualifying events at Clear Lake, Castaic Lake, California Delta and Pyramid Lake. The top 12 anglers by points or first- or second-place finishes advance.

At the Western Divisional held at Lake Noxon, Montana, the club members will be competing as a team and also against each other to see who will be the state champion and advance to the national championship. Division winners from the national championship will have an opportunity to fish in the BASS Bassmaster Classic against the pros.

Torrez and Hemminger are former state champions.

For Sherry, the tournament has an emotional connection. His son Josh was killed in an automobile accident in Montana last year.

Lake Casitas: Bass is really all that's biting at the moment, at depths of 20-25 feet, on worms and jigs near the bottom. David Regan, of Oxnard, caught three bass, the largest 4½ pounds, on a nightcrawler. Allan Mattox, of Ventura, caught a 5-pound bass on a jig.

Lake hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

Cachuma Lake: It was a good week for trout fishing with Kenny Weber, of Santa Barbara, catching a 9-pound holdover tailwalker on a Rapala. Good results were seen at the mouth of Johnson's Bay and from Cachuma Point to Santa Cruz Point. Shore anglers had luck on the point next to the marina and at E Point. Best baits were nightcrawlers under a bobber and Powerbait. Bass continues to improve. Crappie and carp are spotty.

Lake hours: 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Castaic Lake: Bass fishing is rated as excellent with fishermen doing well at C Point and Necktie Canyon at 60-80 feet. Casting spoons, ice jigs and Tasmanian Devils are the best baits. Craig Hatcher, of San Bernardino, caught a 5-pound largemouth at the shoreline on bloodworms. Kenny Wilson, of San Diego, brought in a 4-pound catfish on a mackerel at Elizabeth Canyon.

Lake hours: 6:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

SALTWATER REPORT

With the return of rockfish season still more than two weeks away on March 1, sportfishing landings are largely idle, using the time to repair their boats. Channel Islands Sportfishing has sand-dab trips Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as weekend whale-watching excursions. Information: 805-382-1612.